Siena basketball's Chandler out again because of 'eligibility question'

Siena's statement didn't address the nature or time of the eligibility issue, or why it wasn't discovered until only two games remained the regular season.

Story by

Siena basketball's Chandler out again because of 'eligibility question'

Antonio Chandler, second from right, is seen on the bench as the Siena men take on Rider during a basketball game at MVP Arena on Sunday, March 1, 2026 in Albany, N.Y. (Lori Van Buren/Times Union) (Lori Van Buren/Times Union)

Mark Singelais

Mon, March 2, 2026 at 1:15 AM UTC·
4 min read

ALBANY - Before Sunday's win against Rider, Siena men's basketball graduate forward Antonio Chandler walked to halfcourt with his family as part of Senior Day festivities. He was also awarded a ball by coach Gerry McNamara for scoring his 1,000th career point earlier this season.

But Chandler wasn't in uniform, again, for the Saints' 76-61 victory over Rider at MVP Arena. Instead, he wore a black Siena T-shirt and sweatpants, and it's unclear whether his college career might be over.

Siena announced before the Rider game that Chandler would miss a second straight game because of an "eligibility question." He'd also missed Friday's loss to Fairfield.

"We are currently working collaboratively with the NCAA to address an eligibility question that has just risen involving Antonio Chandler," the team posted on its X account. "We are attempting to get clarification and hope to have more information in a timely manner."

The statement didn't address the nature or timing of the eligibility issue, or why it wasn't discovered until only two games remained in the regular season.

"We didn't think there was any issue until this point," Siena athletic director John D'Argenio said at halftime.

D'Argenio emphasized that Chandler was not at fault.

"There's nothing Antonio did to trigger this (eligibility issue)," said D'Argenio, who declined to elaborate.

Siena doesn't know if Chandler will be available for its MAAC Tournament quarterfinal next Saturday against Mount St. Mary's in Atlantic City.

"We're working jointly (with the NCAA) on it, so, hopefully, we can get something in a timely manner," D'Argenio said.

Chandler started Siena's first 29 games this season. Asked if the eligibility issue could affect Siena's win-loss record or eligibility for the MAAC Tournament, D'Argenio replied, "No, from what I know at this point."

Chandler is in his seventh year of college and at his fourth school. He spent four years at Division II Franklin Pierce University, where he lost one season to COVID-19 and another to shoulder surgery. He transferred to the University of Jamestown, a NAIA school in North Dakota, for one year before spending last season at Division II Southern Connecticut State University.

Chandler was supposed to be out of eligibility after last season, but received an extra year because of the season he spent at Jamestown of the NAIA. The NCAA gave a waiver to athletes in their final year of eligibility allowing them to compete in 2025-26 if they had spent one or more seasons at a non-NCAA school.

The NCAA normally has a five-year window to complete four years of eligibility, or six years to complete five for athletes - like Chandler - who were in college during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020-21.

The Saints clearly missed Chandler's tough inside presence in the loss at Fairfield, as they were outrebounded by 25 against the Stags. Chandler is averaging 7.3 points and 5.6 rebounds per game this season while shooting 64.1% from the field.

With Chandler out, Siena dressed eight scholarship players for Sunday's game. The Saints have four injured players out.

McNamara declined to discuss Chandler's case or if Siena will prepare as though he won't be available for the MAAC Tournament. McNamara did express his sympathy for Chandler sitting out Senior Day.

"I'm heartbroken for the kid," McNamara said. "I can't really comment on everything going on, but ... Antonio has been so good for us this season. He's played awesome in the last few weeks. To not have him be celebrated today was tough for me because I love the kid. I love this group. I really do. He's the most selfless human being. He's a great story that he's worked to be at this level."

This article originally published at Siena basketball's Chandler out again because of 'eligibility question'.

Original source